The 2023 Cricket World Cup

First topic message reminder :

The ICC apparently changed the Champions Trophy qualification rules in March 2021.

It's just they never told anyone about it, never made a media release, and hence most teams were unaware of the alteration until yesterday.

I'll revise my question from yesterday to: Who on earth makes a change to the qualification format of a supposedly major competition and doesn't bother to tell anyone?

Hasn't mattered today but NZ's fielding will need to be much sharper in their presumptive India SF

Alex Hartley saying earlier that SL have been good in this world cup, absolutely dreadful punditry. Probably has Jos Buttler as player of the tournament

50% of the time she's been right

Been a strange innings as Perera has been the only one, so far, to make a mark on the scorecard.  Lot of hack and slash early on.

Presuming NZ win from here, it would take a gigantic collapse to not get over the line, then it will confirm Sri Lanka's status as the second worst/outright worst team at this World Cup, meaning they will miss the Champions Trophy. Garbage team, as thought.

Didn't really think of it earlier, but with CT places only going to the top seven + Pakistan at this World Cup, then it means the West Indies will miss two major tournaments in a row, with no guarantees also of making the next World Cup.

NZ's top four status is about 95-99% secure. They'll want to knock these runs off post-haste to give themselves maximum advantage. Not sure what Pakistan will need to surpass NZ, but I think it's going to be something monumental. If Pakistan do beat England and lose out on the semis by NRR to NZ, then it'll be the second time in a row it's happened.

India v NZ (again) and SA v Aus set to be the semis. Who on earth manages to win if it's a SA v NZ final?!

NZ vs SA wouldn't be so much who wins as who does their best to avoid winning the least!

I read on twitter that If New Zealand chase this in 35 Overs:

- Pak will need to chase:
120 in 6 overs or 200 in 7 Overs vs Eng

Might be doable

Anyway I don't think this is probably going to go 35 overs

If New Zealand chases in 25 overs:

- Pakistan will need to win by 335 runs.
- NO CHANCE if England opts to bat first

Pakistan in a dead rubber, got to be worth a few quid on that, especially if you're part of the team!

Kiwis back in form today - and the weather doesn't seem to be coming to Sri Lanka's - and Pakistan's - rescue.

Openers keen to get it done quickly too...

Basically, then, it really is all over now, but we have to crawl through another four group games and wait six days before the first semi-final. Another thrashing today in a tournament full of them. Even the CT qualification is over, unless Netherlands upset India, which is quite a stretch.

On course to be the worst World Cup since 2007. Let's hope the KO games provide drama. If it's just India strolling to two big victories then it doesn't bear thinking about.

As I see the script playing out....NZ will make it 3 finals in a row and a rematch of the 2015 Trans-Tasman Grand Finale

I don't think a script involving India in a home world cup involves a loss

GSC wrote:I don't think a script involving India in a home world cup involves a loss

1987
1996
India lost in semis at home to Eng & SL respectively

This time the top order is the same mentally scarred one...that has crumbled in half a dozen ICC K.O events

Duty281 wrote:Basically, then, it really is all over now, but we have to crawl through another four group games and wait six days before the first semi-final. Another thrashing today in a tournament full of them. Even the CT qualification is over, unless Netherlands upset India, which is quite a stretch.

On course to be the worst World Cup since 2007. Let's hope the KO games provide drama. If it's just India strolling to two big victories then it doesn't bear thinking about.

To be fair, I reckon the fallout to the ICC announcing that the SF playing conditions will be one hand, one bounce whilst NZ bat but India only have to bat with one stump instead three will be more entertaining than the 2019 final. Then for the final we'll have different pitches for each innings and the opposition will have to face Bumrah with one of those autograph bats. Only one of them though. Batters will have to pass it over as they cross whilst running like a backyard game when you only have one stick.

Side batting second doesn't get floodlights

28 from 30 overs, think NZ might have this one

Easy win, in truth it was largely over within the first 10 overs. Won't put anything past England but Pakistan's hopes are largely over

We're all hooked on who will get CT qualification though

23.2 overs to finish the job.

I do believe that's Pakistan finished. Perhaps the narrow loss to South Africa the most galling, or defeat to Afghanistan, but they got quite a bit of fortune when DLS helped them to beat NZ, so no real complaints. In a tournament where sub-300 scores batting first rarely cut it, Pakistan batted first four times and never made 300+ and lost three of those four games.

Hearing that Pakistan have to win by either 274 or 287 runs over England to eclipse NZ. Basically, bat first, pile up 400 and hope England's out of form and disinterested batting line up have another dreadful collapse. If England bat first it's basically over unless England get bowled out for something like 40 and Pakistan chase it in two overs. Something like that.

CT Qualification is also all over unless the Dutch beat India. Which isn't going to happen.

If they score 300 then they have to bowl England out for 13, or if England are out for 50 they have to chase it in 15 balls or something

So we can't celebrate Champions Trophy qualification just yet, but it would seem prudent to at least provisionally book the open top bus. Paul Collingwood MBE to drive it

Wooden Spoon Tournament
1) Netherlands......  4 (-1.635)
2) Sri Lanka..........  4 (-1.419)
3) Bangladesh.......  4 (-1.142)
4) England ...........  4 (-0.885)

11th Nov: Bangladesh v Australia
11th Nov: England v Pakistan
12th Nov: Netherlands v India

Duty281 wrote:

CT Qualification is also all over unless the Dutch beat India. Which isn't going to happen.

That's a statement of hope positioned as a declaration
No one in their deep hearts puts anything beyond evil bcci

Well, even if Netherlands beat India then England are still making the CT, unless Bangladesh also beat Australia. The chances of both Netherlands and Bangladesh winning their respective games are 90/1, according to Bet365. So I think England are fairly safe!

I see Afghanistan need a 438 run win over SA tomorrow to topple NZ, making Pakistan's equation look sane. Sri Lanka need Bangladesh to lose to Aus by around 120 runs in order to make the CT at Bangladesh's expense.

Duty281 wrote:Well, even if Netherlands beat India then England are still making the CT, unless Bangladesh also beat Australia. The chances of both Netherlands and Bangladesh winning their respective games are 90/1, according to Bet365. So I think England are fairly safe!

Eng is not static at it's current NRR......we have to see how much hit Pak give to their NRR
Ideally Eng shud believe they can beat Pak

Duty281 wrote:
I see Afghanistan need a 438 run win over SA tomorrow to topple NZ, making Pakistan's equation look sane. Sri Lanka need Bangladesh to lose to Aus by around 120 runs in order to make the CT at Bangladesh's expense.

Bet they wish Cronje was still around, and wanted another leather jacket.

I see there is a report, albeit a speculative one, in the Guardian today that the next edition of the CT could be a T20 event.

Would be incredible, even by cricket’s standards, to not announce the qualification criteria for an event till the middle of the qualifying event itself - and then make the tournament you qualify for a different format altogether. Really excellent.

JDizzle wrote:I see there is a report, albeit a speculative one, in the Guardian today that the next edition of the CT could be a T20 event.

Would be incredible, even by cricket’s standards, to not announce the qualification criteria for an event till the middle of the qualifying event itself - and then make the tournament you qualify for a different format altogether. Really excellent.

There is no smoke without fire
I hear broadcasting rights will fetch 5 times more if it's T20 and timings can be adjusted to include US markets also..
But they will formally announce closer to the event when commercials have been sealed.

I can also bet it will be moved out of Pak

JDizzle wrote:I see there is a report, albeit a speculative one, in the Guardian today that the next edition of the CT could be a T20 event.

Would be incredible, even by cricket’s standards, to not announce the qualification criteria for an event till the middle of the qualifying event itself - and then make the tournament you qualify for a different format altogether. Really excellent.

That would be hilarious. Even more hilarious than Zimbabwe achieving qualification for the 1992 World Cup through a red-ball, 60 over tournament.

But, seriously, it can't happen. It's bad enough that there's a T20 World Cup every two years. If the Champions Trophy becomes a T20 event then there will be major T20 international events in 24/25/26. Just ridiculous.

Or we could not have the champions trophy

With it scheduled to be in Pakistan there will naturally be questions about it right up until a ball is or isn't bowled. India almost certainly won't play in Pakistan even though Pakistan have played the CWC in India. If it's two groups of 4 again then that will mean rearranging the pool stage for India's group. Then the KOs if required. Or moving the tournament to a new host. Which given the FTP is organised around the CT being February 2025 would require a host who's season fits with hosting in that window, then would want to. It's never been a big money spinner.

I reckon the ICC will have breathed a sigh of relief with England likely qualifying. With already India likely to at least threaten to drop out, if not do it, having another of the big three not qualify would have put the tournament in even more doubt.

If I were a betting man my money wouldn't be on the tournament going ahead.

king_carlos wrote:With it scheduled to be in Pakistan there will naturally be questions about it right up until a ball is or isn't bowled. India almost certainly won't play in Pakistan even though Pakistan have played the CWC in India. If it's two groups of 4 again then that will mean rearranging the pool stage for India's group. Then the KOs if required. Or moving the tournament to a new host. Which given the FTP is organised around the CT being February 2025 would require a host who's season fits with hosting in that window, then would want to. It's never been a big money spinner.

I reckon the ICC will have breathed a sigh of relief with England likely qualifying. With already India likely to at least threaten to drop out, if not do it, having another of the big three not qualify would have put the tournament in even more doubt.

If I were a betting man my money wouldn't be on the tournament going ahead.

CT would be cancelled?....But why?.....It's a win-win for everyone. Who would even dream of cancelling it and why?
With higher broadcasting rights it will be atleast a quarter billion dollar bonanza....and as we know the lowest denominator will get $15 to 20M.
The wonders it will do to the weaker, smaller, impoverished of the 12 permanent members that will share 90% of this money....and remaining 10% for the betterment of cricket in Mongolia & Argentina type exotic nations.

And if it's a T20 with American markets in mind.....especially that southern states like Florida/ Texas / Caribbean are key viewers....it would make sense to add WI to pull more advertising eyeballs.
And to have even number of teams, SL might be added.
The Asia Cup was held in Pak but BCCI engineered all non Pak  and Pak-SL game and final to be moved to SL. This existing model will be replicated.

Bumper money spinner for all Boards get a bonanza, players probably bonus fee, new markets,  broadcasters happy & average IQ cricket following masses get a masala-fast food diet of DLF maximums.
Which leaves a few tiny minority of intellectuals debating in dissatisfaction on forums & SM the rationale of 8 team qualification charade in a 50 over format.
Who cares for the anger, frustration or even  existence of negligible percentage of intellectuals in the grand scheme of a money spinning machine bringing millions to stakeholders & entertainment to billions.

lol KP_Fan. Yeah, who cares?

I did actually think it was dead in the water and was surprised to see it had been revived. Glad to see it included in the Olympics too... now the Comm Games have hit the wall.

Cricket should also be a mandatory immigration requirement. Just set up an area near baggage collection for new immigrants with 3 stumps at 22 yards from a white line. You get maximum 6 balls to hit the target. No-ball rule applies. Under arm deliveries not allowed either.

Alternatively, for those who'd prefer to take their chances with a bat, lob a few long hops to try and hit sponsors logos and signs on the ceiling and near the tops of walls. Could also hand out free cricket kits to selected new arrivals if one or more of them show any promising skills or abilities.

Pal Joey wrote:
Cricket should also be a mandatory immigration requirement. Just set up an area near baggage collection for new immigrants with 3 stumps at 22 yards from a white line. You get maximum 6 balls to hit the target. No-ball rule applies. Under arm deliveries not allowed either.

I like this idea, it means that Darren Pattinson would never have been allowed into England

I hear Alan Mullaly the left arm pacer who terrorized India on their 1996 tour of Eng's bowling spearhead for a while immigrated to Aus and living in penury

So not much interest in SA v Afghanistan then ? Guess it is the first truly dead match of this WC...

Seems SA won't have too challenging a chase this time , with their opponents struggling at 134/6. They will be relieved though that Ngidi seems to have recovered from that early injury that saw him off the field halfway through his third over : losing a bowler at this stage of the competition not what you want from a non-essential game.

alfie wrote:So not much interest in SA v Afghanistan then ? Guess it is the first truly dead match of this WC...

Seems SA won't have too challenging a chase this time  , with their opponents struggling at 134/6.  They will be relieved though that Ngidi seems to have recovered from that early injury that saw him off the field halfway through his third over : losing a bowler at this stage of the competition not what you want from a non-essential game.

Now only a couple of minor points of interest left

1- Can Pak bat first tomm and if so, pile on 450 on the back of a Fkahr Zamaan blistering double 100?
2- Will bcci play mischief and rest top-4 players leading to a defeat of Ind vs Ned

KP_fan wrote:I hear Alan Mullaly the  left arm pacer who terrorized India  on their 1996 tour of Eng's bowling spearhead for a while immigrated to Aus and living in penury

Sad story. What a fall from grace. Hope he's getting his life back together now.

Pal Joey wrote:

KP_fan wrote:I hear Alan Mullaly the  left arm pacer who terrorized India  on their 1996 tour of Eng's bowling spearhead for a while immigrated to Aus and living in penury

Sad story. What a fall from grace. Hope he's getting his life back together now.

Mullally's rally
In his mum's little house in Perth, a former England bowler recovers from troubled times and tells his tales
EMMA JOHN  |  MAY 2017

https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1092132/emma-john-meets-alan-mullally-in-perth

This itself is 6 years old story......
Yes sad

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-cricket-suspended-by-icc-board-1408215

Oh dear, SL Cricket suspended by the ICC. Can't be good.

Duty281 wrote:https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-cricket-suspended-by-icc-board-1408215

Oh dear, SL Cricket suspended by the ICC. Can't be good.

SL Board was fired their ministry¨
SL board was if not handpicked , then at-least backed by ICC/ BCCI
so ICC / BCCI showing their power to SL ministry....you don't get our Bord, we don't let you play Internationale cricket

I see SA showing C-Symptoms chasing only 244 in a dead game vs Afg
God give them courage to chase in semis or better good luck to win the toss and bat first

Meanwhile, back at the cricket

Afghanistan staged something of a recovery to reach 244 all out off the last ball of the innings - Azmatullah 97* being their saviour with the bat

SA making slightly heavy weather of the chase - getting into a strong position and then losing a wicket to bring a bit of pressure back on. need a run a ball from the last 8 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Should be OK, but not exactly flying home towards a moderate target.

Now I definitely have some concerns about an Afghanistan side being allowed into the competition (I know, sport and politics shouldn't mix, but they did with apartheid South Africa, and should equally for Afghanistan under the Taliban), but on the pitch they've had their fair share of good moments, and probably look back on their first match v Bangladesh as one that seriously got away - could still have been playing for a SF spot otherwise.

SA made fairly heavy work of that but win with a bit of margin in the end. Think their opponents will definitely be asking them to chase in the semi and potential final

A game that is best described by the colour beige. Let's hope for some drama in the semi finals!

Bangladesh making a very good start here against Australia- just lost their first wicket but with 83/1 from 12 they'd be reasonably happy.

But now Zampa comes on and second ball brings an lbw review... Ah. Inside edge and Australia lose a review.

With semi assured , will Australia struggle to bring full intensity to this one ? A Bangladesh win would make that Champions Trophy qualification picture unclear again with just a couple of games to go...

The excellent Zampa strikes now as Das tries to go big...caught in the deep for 36 and it's 106/2 , 17 gone.

Zampa 1/5 from three overs quite a contrast to some expensive stuff from the pace men , who have been disappointing. So Head is now having a bowl in tandem with him.

Running often plays an important role in these games... Bangladesh were cruising at 169/2 in the 28th when a never likely second run attempt and some sharp fielding from Marnus did for Shanto and gave Australia a very much needed wicket. Was looking difficult to stem the scoring , with only Zampa giving any control.

Zampa 1/21 now ; but he's bowled seven so Australia will need some other bowlers to stand up towards the back end of this innings. 171/3 , twenty nine gone.

I'm not sure this game really affects CT qualification, Bangladesh are already in 8th place. The Netherlands beating India though....